This newest model of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier device and designed to be the only tool required to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.
This positions it as an very pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including different quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have got it set up, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, although the actual location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
These features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with options offered via the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital features need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
